The sky gradually darkened. Kuro took the hint. "It's getting late. We should get some rest."
He narrowed his eyes and gave Ye Chen a look. Ye Chen knew exactly what Kuro was thinking.
But Ye Chen was in no hurry to take Vivi to her room. Instead, he took her hand and told her about himself and Robin.
Vivi was quick to understand. Before he was halfway through, she realized Robin had long since claimed the most important place in Ye Chen's heart.
It hurt, but Vivi had already given herself to Ye Chen, heart and soul. Fighting back tears, she held him tight. "Thank you for telling me. I'll treat Robin like an older sister. I won't compete with her. As long as there's a place for me in your heart, that's enough."
The fact that Ye Chen had chosen to tell her meant he had accepted her. After a while, Vivi wiped away her tears and said, "I'd like to stay with Robin tonight. Is that okay?"
"Huh?"
With their parting so close, Ye Chen had expected a rather more exciting evening. But Vivi waved at him. "I knew you wouldn't mind. I'm going to find Robin."
Ye Chen was left standing there alone.
"Here..."
A voice came from behind him. Before Ye Chen could turn around, someone offered him a cigar.
"You?" Ye Chen stared at Perona in surprise. "Where did you get a cigar?"
Perona snapped her fingers. "Captain, I'm bored all by myself. Play with me for a while."
The moment Ye Chen's attention slipped, Perona unleashed a Negative Hollow. It struck him at once.
Under normal circumstances, Perona would have had little chance. Ye Chen was now as strong as Tyrant Kuma, and the Haki he could release in an instant was enough